The National Harbor is an entertainment and shopping complex area in the Washington, D.C., located less than 11 miles from the center of the city in the state of Maryland. Visitors to the complex have more than 20 dining places to choose from between browsing through the shops or attending theater or other events in the area. Among these are upscale steak houses, Mexican cantinas and casual burger joints.
The Gaylord National Hotel on Waterfront Street in the National Harbor serves as home to the Old Hickory Steakhouse. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its service and "good to very good" for its food and decor.
All of the restaurant's steaks are Midwestern, grain-fed black Angus beef. Cuts include the 10-oz. beef tenderloin and the 24-oz. porterhouse. Entrees are a la carte with side dishes intended for sharing like truffle macaroni and cheese and sauteed spinach. The restaurant's extensive wine list features more than 120 selections.
The Old Hickory Steakhouse serves dinner nightly. Reservations are highly recommended. For views of the Potomac River, ask for a seat near the window in the dining room. Business casual attire is appropriate. The restaurant has a children's menu, high chairs and booster seats. Diners at Old Hickory can receive three hours of free self-parking in the Gaylord National Hotel lot.
Rosa Mexicano is on Waterfront Street near St. George Boulevard. As of October 2010, the restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food and decor and "good to very good" for its service.
The restaurant is particularly well known for its guacamole, which waitstaff prepares table-side with fresh avocado, jalapeno, tomato, onion and cilantro in a stone bowl. Entrees include tacos, enchiladas and other Mexican fare like the chicken tortilla pie. Margaritas are the specialty of the bar and come in eight varieties.
Rosa Mexicano is open for brunch on weekends, lunch on weekdays and dinner nightly. Reservations are taken online and by phone. To enjoy people watching during your meal, request a table on the outdoor patio for views of the National Harbor area. From a dining room table near the windows, you can see the Potomac. Business casual attire is the norm. The restaurant has a children's menu, highchairs and booster seats. Parking is available in the public lot at the National Harbor for a fee.
Elevation Burger is on Waterfront Street near National Harbor Boulevard. Established in June 2009, the restaurant offers counter-service only with a spacious dining area to eat on the premises. "Zagat" ratings for Elevation Burger were "good to very good" for food and service and "fair to good" for decor.
The beef used to make the restaurant's signature burgers is 100 percent certified organic. The menu is simple, allowing diners to build their own sandwiches with one to 10 burger patties and then mix and match 12 different topics to finish the sandwich. Vegetarian, vegan and low-carbohydrate versions of the burger are available. To accompany the meal, the restaurant has a selection of milkshakes, malts and soft drinks.
Elevation Burger is open daily for lunch and dinner. Casual attire is acceptable. Outdoor seating is available on the restaurant's patio. For kids, Elevation Burger has a special menu, highchairs and booster seats. Parking is available in the National Harbor lot for a fee.
